Characters (Blood Brothers)

Below is a list of characters in the play Blood Brothers by Willy Russell.

The central figures in Blood Brothers are the twins Mickey Johnstone and Edward Lyons, along with their respective mothers, Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons. Another significant character is Linda, who initially serves as a friend to both twins and later becomes Mickey's wife.

The Narrator maintains a constant presence onstage, serving as a conduit between the audience and the unfolding events, rather than actively participating in the storyline.

While Mickey's brother Sammy and Edward's father Mr. Lyons have smaller roles in the play, they nevertheless exert influence on the plot's trajectory.

Mickey Johnstone

Mickey, the twin brought up by his biological mother alongside his seven older siblings, is introduced to us at the age of seven as a friendly and enthusiastic child. He admires his brother Sammy and envies his freedom. Throughout the play, Mickey maintains a strong bond with his mother, displaying a warm and supportive relationship. Despite his lack of formal education and his penchant for colourful language and slang, Mickey embraces Edward as a close friend upon their first encounter, highlighting his loyalty and affection toward his companions.

In his teenage years, Mickey grapples with shyness and awkwardness, particularly in his feelings for Linda, whom he harbours affection for but struggles to express. Despite his academic shortcomings and disciplinary issues at school, Linda serves as a positive influence, steering him away from the negative influence of his older brother Sammy. Upon reuniting with Edward in adulthood, their friendship is swiftly rekindled, illustrating Mickey's enduring loyalty.

As an adult, Mickey's optimism and vitality are eroded by the harsh realities of chronic unemployment and the inability to provide for his family. His mounting frustration and resentment towards Edward intensify, exacerbated by his involvement in Sammy's criminal activities, which culminates in a prison sentence. Mickey's subsequent descent into depression takes a toll on his marriage with Linda and his sense of self-worth.

Edward Lyons

Edward, the twin raised in affluence by the Lyons family after being separated from his biological mother, experiences a childhood centred on the attention of his mother, given his father's frequent absence due to work commitments. Despite his privileged upbringing, Edward exudes warmth and kindness, relishing interactions with his peers. Upon meeting Mickey at the age of seven, he is captivated by his newfound friend's rebellious nature, finding Mrs. Johnstone's contrasting demeanour intriguing.

In his teenage years, Edward remains a steadfast and loyal friend, prioritising Mickey's emotions over his own, even advocating for Mickey's pursuit of Linda despite harbouring feelings for her himself. As he matures, Edward gradually asserts independence from his overprotective mother, allocating more time to his friendship with Mickey and Linda.

Upon his enrolment at Oxford University at the age of 18, Edward embarks on a trajectory towards success, eventually assuming the role of "Councillor Lyons" in adulthood. Despite his achievements, Edward struggles to comprehend Mickey's plight upon facing redundancy, lacking the ability to empathise with his circumstances. However, as he matures, Edward extends support to Linda and Mickey, assisting them in securing employment and a family residence. Yet, his involvement in an affair with Linda ultimately precipitates the tragic climax of the narrative.

Mrs. Johnstone

Mrs. Johnstone emanates warmth and compassion as a mother, despite grappling with the daunting task of single-handedly raising her eight children. At the play's outset, she candidly recounts the hardships she has endured, reminiscing about happier times with her husband before he abandoned her for another woman, citing her increasing number of children as a point of contention. Initially burdened with seven children and pregnant with an eighth, Mrs. Johnstone's distress is compounded upon learning of her impending twins, a vulnerability Mrs. Lyons exploits to her advantage.

Displaying a degree of naiveté, Mrs. Johnstone succumbs to Mrs. Lyons' manipulative persuasion to part with one of the twins, her superstitious beliefs and limited education rendering her susceptible to exploitation. Her imprudent financial decisions, such as purchasing items beyond her means from catalogues, further underscore her vulnerability.

Despite her affectionate nature, Mrs. Johnstone struggles to exert control over her unruly children, who frequently find themselves in trouble. The family's relocation to the countryside brings a glimmer of hope for a fresh start, which proves initially promising until Mickey and Sammy's incarceration plunges Mrs. Johnstone into renewed turmoil.

Mrs. Lyons

Mrs. Lyons emerges as a profoundly solitary figure, a stark contrast to her employee, Mrs. Johnstone. At the play's onset, she inhabits her expansive residence in solitude, her husband's prolonged absences for business rendering her isolated for nine months. Desperate for a child, Mrs. Lyons discloses her infertility to Mrs. Johnstone, her yearning for motherhood driving her to manipulate her employee into surrendering one of the twins.

Exhibiting a cunning and manipulative demeanour, Mrs. Lyons' actions betray a relentless pursuit of her desire for a child, albeit tinged with a streak of cruelty. Upon securing the child and presenting him as her own to her returning husband, she dismisses Mrs. Johnstone from her employment, fearing her proximity to the infant.

As Edward matures, Mrs. Lyons becomes increasingly possessive and envious, tightly controlling his every move and reacting with paranoia upon discovering his interactions with his biological family. However, her suffocating behaviour only serves to drive Edward further away from her.

As Edward forms close bonds with Mickey and Linda in his teenage years, Mrs. Lyons' mental state deteriorates, culminating in a violent outburst when she attempts to attack Mrs. Johnstone with a knife after the latter refuses to relocate. Finally, Mrs. Lyons plays a pivotal role in exposing Edward and Linda's romance to Mickey, thrusting them into the spotlight of his scrutiny.

Linda

Linda embodies kindness and confidence throughout her journey. Since the tender age of seven, she assumes a protective stance toward Mickey, readily confronting his brother Sammy and others whom she perceives as unjust toward him. During her teenage years, Linda wears her affection for Mickey openly, often to his embarrassment as she unabashedly professes her love in public. In her late teens, she becomes pregnant with Mickey's child and enters into marriage with him.

Navigating adulthood proves challenging for Linda, constrained by her modest background and early motherhood. While steadfastly supporting Mickey during his incarceration, she becomes disheartened by his reliance on antidepressants post-release, believing they obscure his true self. Though her affair with Edward may cast her in a selfish light, Linda's actions stem from a sense of entrapment within her circumstances, mirroring Mickey's struggles in many respects.

The Narrator

The Narrator assumes a unique role within the narrative framework. While he does not engage directly with the characters onstage, occasionally addressing them without eliciting a response, his primary function is to provide commentary on events and establish a connection with the audience.

Serving multiple purposes throughout the play, the Narrator serves as a moral compass, prompting the audience to reflect on the ethical implications of characters' actions. He also underscores themes of maternal guilt and the inevitable fate of the twins, fostering a sense of foreboding. Additionally, the Narrator fulfils a practical role by guiding the audience through transitions in time and elucidating key elements of the plot through songs and speeches.